APG Newsletter October 2023

HUMAN RESOURCES

Ask HR!

Have a question, but don’t know whom to ask? The Human Resources staff is listening! You can always send an email to Ask HR if you have questions or concerns. Emails will be kept confidential and, if we print your question in the APG newsletter, we will not use your name.

Questions may be emailed to AskHR@adamspg.com or sent interoffice to your regional HR representative.

DON’T KNOW WHOM TO CALL?

Contact Human Resources.

KATHARINE GLASS

APG Vice President of HR kglass@adamspg.com 865.981.1101

DEB BROOKS

HR Manager - APG West dbrooks@skagitpublishing.com 360.416.2187

GWEN DAVIS

HR Manager - East gdavis@apgenc.com 252.366.8139

HEATHER MCCALMONT HR Manager - Wisconsin, MD, OH hmccalmont@adamspg.com 608.755.9442

THÉRÉSE ZADNIK-KLECKER

HR Manager - APG Central therese.zadnik-klecker@adamspg.com 763.712.3559

Kyle Wirick - Little Red Creek in Crowheart, Wyoming

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO & WIN! SUBMIT TO SUBMITNEWS.ADAMSPG.COM.

Submit a photo to be featured in the monthly newsletter. Each month, the person whose photo is selected for the front cover will win a $25 gift card!

REMINDER

THANKSGIVING

Thursday, November 23, 2023

CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 25, 2023

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Monday, January 1, 2024

Applying for a Position at APG

Key to Opportunity

APG encourages associates to apply for positions within the company. If you have worked for a least six months with a good record of past performance and have the skills required for an internal position, please apply using the Internal Application or “Key to Opportunity” form available from your HR Representative. To view open positions please go to Adamspg.com/careers.

OPPORTUNITY

CONGRATS

TO OUR SEPTEMBER WINNER

LISA NOLLEN APG, SUN MEDIA, & STILLWATER GAZETTE

The Question Was:

What is the most popular spice used in fall baking?

The Answer Was: Cinnamon

What is the weight in lbs world record for the largest pumpkin? SEND

How to Provide Effective Feedback

Providing feedback to others is something you will likely have to do at some point during your career. Whether you are a manager who supervises many employees or simply a mentor for a new co-worker, knowing how to provide effective and helpful feedback is important. Useful, well-presented feedback helps others to improve and grow professionally.

Before Providing Feedback

It is important to understand exactly what the term feedback means before giving anyone feedback. Feedback refers to any information regarding an individual’s efforts and progress toward reaching a certain goal. Effective feedback is clear, reasonable and accepted by the recipient. Keep this in mind as you plan out the feedback you will give someone.

TIMING

Remember that you should give someone feedback at an appropriate time when it will be well-received and understood. Consider the following tips:

• Give feedback in a timely fashion. Waiting too long to address the individual’s behavior or performance during a certain instance will make what you have to say less important and helpful to the receiver.

• Refrain from addressing very old instances unless you are discussing a pattern in the individual’s behavior.

• Avoid bringing up negative feedback at a time when the individual is extremely overwhelmed by work or personal problems. Doing so may further distress him or her.

• Maintain privacy by providing feedback to the individual when he or she is alone.

CONTENT

Ensure that the content of your feedback is as valuable and helpful as possible by following these guidelines:

• BE SPECIFIC. Refer to certain instances and suggest steps the individual can take to improve.

• BE CLEAR. Provide a thorough explanation for the feedback and encourage the individual to ask questions if they do not understand.

• BE REALISTIC. Comment on the individual’s behavior, performance and skills rather than his or her personality traits which cannot be changed.

PRESENTATION

Having good content is only half of the feedback process. Along with content, you should also consider the way in which you present your feedback. Consider the following tips:

• BE GENTLE AND SENSITIVE. If the feedback is negative, avoid sounding angry and remain calm. In addition, do not make the individual feel like he or she is in competition with anyone else.

• USE “I” AND “YOU” STATEMENTS RATHER THAN THIRD-PERSON PRONOUNS. This allows you to have a more direct and open discussion. Using third-person pronouns can cause your feedback to sound vague and impersonal.

• MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VERBAL STATEMENTS AND NONVERBAL ACTIONS ARE CONGRUENT. Nonverbal actions include eye contact, head nodding and shaking, hand gestures, and any other movements. Avoid fidgeting and hold strong eye contact, as this will prevent the individual from getting distracted while you speak.

• AVOID OVERWHELMING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH FEEDBACK, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR COMMENTS ARE MOSTLY NEGATIVE. If you have a lot of items to address, choose the most relevant and time-sensitive ones and bring the rest up at a later time.

AFTER PROVIDING FEEDBACK

After you have communicated the feedback, your task is not over just yet. Close off your discussion by doing the following:

• Direct the individual to any other resources which may help him or her to further understand your feedback and improve their work or behavior.

• Encourage him or her to reflect on your conversation.

• Remind him or her that you are always available to answer any questions.

Remember that providing feedback should be an ongoing activity. The more consistent your feedback is, the more prepared the individual will be to receive and absorb it.

CARDIAC DAMAGE DUE TO ELECTRIC SHOCK

Heart damage due to electric shock is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. The most common heart damage produced is arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) and cardiac arrest. Electric shock interferes with the heart’s electrical impulse and impairs the pumping ability of the heart. Cardiac complications due to electrical injury are reversible in most cases but may sometimes have long-term complications.

The severity of the electrical injury depends on several factors, like the type of current, voltage, resistance to current, the path of current through the body, the duration of exposure, and the amount of energy delivered. Alternating currents are more dangerous.

WHAT ARE THE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC SHOCK?

The passage of electric current through the body follows the vascular axis, current flows through the tissues of least resistance. Whether the current passage is horizontal (hand to hand) or vertical (head to foot or hand to foot), cardiac injury occurs. The major cardiac complications from electric shock are:

1. MYOCARDIAL INJURIES:

The direct effect of electric current results in cardiac damage. Electric shock cardiac damage may result in myocardial infarction (heart attack) or cardiac arrest. These are life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical care. Myocardial infarction occurs due to blockage of blood flow to the heart.

2. CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA:

Cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) is the most common complication of cardiac electrical damage. The most common arrhythmias are sinus tachycardia and premature ventricular contraction. Exposure to direct current results in ventricular asystole. Ventricular fibrillation is more frequent with alternating current than with direct current. Most arrhythmias start immediately after exposure, but delayed ones are sometimes seen.

3. OTHER CARDIAC COMPLICATIONS:

Smaller blood vessels are more affected than large arteries because large arteries dissipate the heat produced due to electric current. Vascular injuries in the extremities may lead to compartment syndrome. Other cardiac complications caused are transient arterial hypertension, transient autonomic dysfunction, and hemorrhagic pericarditis (fluid and blood buildup of pericardium).

HOW IS THE CONDITION MANAGED?

Before starting medical care, the first thing to do is to turn off the current source. After which symptomatic management is done. In the case of cardiac arrest victims, immediate resuscitation improves the prognosis. Cardiac monitoring should be done for a minimum of 24 hours. Hospital administration with 24-hour cardiac monitoring is needed in the following cases of electrical injury:

• UNCONSCIOUS PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC ARREST.

• HIGH VOLTAGE INJURY.

• ABNORMAL VITAL PARAMETERS.

• HISTORY OF CARDIO-RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS.

• PREGNANCY.

• EXTENSIVE BURNS OR SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE.

• ABNORMAL ECG (ELECTROCARDIOGRAM).